Passing combo is big weapon for Aztecs

Lindley-Brown have a history vs. Idaho

The scenario might play out like this: Facing the California Golden Bears at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley is working out of the shotgun.

He recognizes a blitz and checks off from a draw to a quick slant to wide receiver Vincent Brown. One second after the snap, Lindley hits Brown in perfect sync. But Brown is popped going over the middle by Vincent Brown?

This piece of fiction has played out dozens of times on the Xbox. Brown likes to play as Cal while Lindley prefers the Red and Black. The two spend hours together honing their video game skills.

“Xbox? I don't know what that is,” coach Brady Hoke said. “I had an Atari in 1981. We played Pong.”

OK, so Hoke isn't exactly a video game buff. Those aren't the buttons he was brought in to push. But he understands the importance of an off-the-field relationship between quarterback and receiver. He's a defensive mind, but he's been around the game long enough to know that time spent off the field can translate to success on it.

“That's a pretty good battery we got goin',” said Hoke, making a rare baseball reference.

The connection can be traced back three years, the summer before Lindley and Brown started their freshman seasons. Brown moved in with Lindley for the summer, and the two would work out together at Lindley's old high school, El Capitan. Freshman year, they were roommates. Today, they remain good friends and are the focus of the nation's No. 29 passing attack through two games.

“Ryan opened up his home and that's where it all started,” Brown recalls. “That summer, we'd hang with Ryan and his friends or just go out and toss the ball around. It's been building ever since.”

It's likely the two will pad their stats today when they face the University of Idaho (1-1) in Moscow. Both had career days against the Vandals last season — Lindley completing 24-of-32 passes for 433 yards and four touchdowns. Brown was the recipient of eight of those balls for 183 yards and three scores.

They call him “VJ,” not to be confused with another elite wide receiver in San Diego, the Chargers' Vincent Jackson. Brown is the son of Vincent Sr., and VJ stands for “Vincent Jr.” Brown came from Rancho Cucamonga High, where he was the team's offensive MVP his senior year, catching 42 balls for 530 yards and six touchdowns.

He enters today's game No. 4 in the country in receiving yards per game. He has 11 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns. He's also the biggest concern for Idaho coach Robb Akey.

“The big thing with a guy like him is holding his big plays to a minimum,” Akey said. “He's made some nice catches — I remember him coming out of high school, good speed, good hands. We have to be aware of where he is.”

That might be tough for the Vandals. Brown is seeing the field with fresh eyes these days.

“The game has slowed down for me,” Brown said. “I remember freshman year, I had tunnel vision. The game was so fast. Now I'm better at reading coverages pre-snap and finding a way to get open.”

If Brown didn't open eyes with his 78-yard touchdown catch in the loss to UCLA in Game 1, he certainly did with his touchdown grab in last week's win over Southern Utah. Lindley fired a 22-yard missile to Brown, who was hit a good half-second before the ball arrived. Falling to the ground with a defender draped around him, he still caught the ball. Pass interference was called, and declined.

“I sat there in disbelief,” said Lindley, noting it was a highlight when the team watched game film. “When it happened, I was just smiling. I couldn't even believe it. Those are the kinds of things he does. He makes amazing plays.”

The Aztecs (1-1) are playing .500 ball for the first time since 2004. Offensive coordinator Al Borges has said he wants balance in the offense and last week against SUU the Aztecs had a 100-yard rusher in Brandon Sullivan and a 100-yard receiver in Brown. The last time they did that? Last season against Idaho, when Atiyyah Henderson rushed for 100 yards and Brown had 183 receiving yards. Borges wants to run, but said he won't hesitate to showcase Lindley and Brown.

“The two of them have that familiarity because of their past,” Borges said. “And there is a comfort level that goes with that. We want to feature them as much as we can.”

In their down time, Brown and Lindley will continue to grow as friends, and talk a little smack over Xbox. Both claim to be the superior player. But Lindley gets the last word.

“They say you are only as good as your last game,” said Lindley, flashing a sinister smile. “And I've won the last four. What does that tell you?”